Ecojesuit factsheets in EOF

Do you know the Echojesuit factsheets? Since 2015, a team of Jesuits and lay people from French-speaking Western Europe has been publishing a bimonthly electronic sheet of advice and good ecological practices. Intended for Jesuit communities, these sheets can inspire all citizens who want to take care of our common House. The 21st sheet has just been published: it is entitled: "Ecological driving".

As soon as the encyclical Laudato si' was published, Belgian and French Jesuits wanted to embark on the path of ecology and raise awareness of climate issues. It seemed clear that the companions had to start by reforming their own lifestyle and that of their community. Concrete tools were missing to support this conversion. Fellow Jesuits, coordinated by Jérôme Gué sj, began writing monthly thematic sheets to help with concrete actions. The name Ecojesuit comes from the website, based in Brussels and Manila, "Ecojesuit. Ecology and Jesuits in communication", which brings together all the initiatives of the Societies

Every two months, a theme is discussed: food, energy, transport, waste, water consumption, etc. A brief insert recalls the challenges, followed by concrete action plans: one vegetarian day per week in the communities or the implementation of a compost for organic waste. Links to online videos or sites are provided for "those who want to go further".

The authors of the Ecojesuit sheets are not green coaches specialising in change, or strategy consultants, but companions among others, who will draw on the resources available to offer a simple and didactic tool.

Ecojesuit 21 factsheet - Ecological drivingAfter fact sheet n°2 on transport, this month's fact sheet (n°21) draws our attention to how we choose motor vehicles in our communities, and how we use them. In our European countries, the transport sector is the largest emitter of CO2 after buildings (30% of emissions). It is one of the two major emitting stations in our communities with heating.

Different "good habits" are proposed for a more responsible use of cars: Review all your trips over a quarter and see how to reduce them or do them differently than by car.

Reduce the number of cars, by separating from old diesels and sharing car use more effectively (less maintenance, parking space, costs). Analyze the use of cars by the community and: - optimize between companions in the community - use car-sharing or rental for the few times when everyone needs a car at the same time and has no other options

Buy an electric car for local or not too distant travel.

The complete sheet can be downloaded on www.jesuites.com/fiche-ecojesuit-n21-rouler-ecologique/